Daud Abdullah was born in Grenada where he received his early education. He obtained his first degree from the University of Guyana in 1981 and was awarded a scholarship to study Arabic language at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia. In 1984 he joined the University of Khartoum, Sudan to pursue postgraduate studies and was awarded his doctorate in 1989. His last posting in Saudi Arabia was as editor and translator at the Abul Qasim Publishing House in Jeddah.

He then lectured in history at the University of Maiduguri in Nigeria. Since moving to the United Kingdom with his family in the mid 1990s Dr Abdullah was senior researcher at the Palestinian Return Centre, London. He has been a regular contributor to Impact International and the Palestine Times. He is editor of 'The Israeli Law of Return & its Impact on the Struggle in Palestine'.

Dr Abdullah comments on Palestinian affairs in the British and Arab media.

Dr. Abdullah is the Director of Middle East Monitor (MEMO) an independent UK based media research institution which seeks to foster a fair and accurate coverage in the Western media of Middle Eastern issues and in particular the Palestinian issue.

Dr. Abdullah was Assistant Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain from 2003-2006. He chaired the European and international Affairs Committee during the period 2004-06 and represented the MCB in several delegations abroad. He has been a spokesperson for the MCB both in the British and international media. He is currently both their Deputy Secretary General and their Chair of Europe & International Affairs Committee.

Dr Abdullah formerly lectured in 'Introduction to Islam' module of the Islamic Studies CertHE at Birkbeck Stratford.

He is chairman and khateeb of Masjid Annoor in Acton, west London and has been a guest lecturer on Islamic and Palestinian affairs at many universities in the UK including Queen’s University in Belfast.

Dr Abdullah is a trustee of the Centre for the Study of Terrorism.